04-22-2021, 07:36 AM
(04-21-2021, 11:32 PM)nms Wrote: The biggest loss in Northdale is the green space and pleasant pedestrian experience. All of the housing was set back from the street and most houses had one if not several large trees in front of them. Pedestrians had a good chance of a shady walk no matter which street they took. Northdale was also home to housing stock that would have permitted families to live there. The houses were just slightly bigger than than the immediate post-war housing so they had multiple bedrooms and common spaces (eg kitchen, dining and living rooms). They had space for residents to spend time outside, either sitting on a front porch, or spending time in their backyards. In the early years, the neighbourhood design would have allowed children to play in their yards or even on the street. These informal spaces and uses allowed for community interaction. Yes, it was largely a student neighbourhood before it was torn down, but I would argue it was more conducive to informal gathering than what is there now.
Now, many of the buildings are pushed nearly right up to the sidewalk. Those twigs that were planted along the sidewalk will not be providing shade for at least another 30 years or more. I suspect that much of the greenery around the buildings will slowly be allowed to die and not be replaced as a cost saving measure. Backyards have been largely replaced by parking lots. The only 'community space' space that is available is either a random park bench in a postage stamp plaza next to the front door, without any shade, or a table in a café or restaurant that will likely require a purchase of something in order to 'rent' the space. Living spaces have been replaced by one-bedroom apartments with no room for growth, families or even roommates unless you are sharing the same bed. One might hope that in the future some of the apartment buildings *might* be converted to include larger apartments, but I won't hold my breath.
While the Waterloo residences might not be viewed as great "real world" housing stock, they nevertheless provide buildings that function in the way that they are meant to and that have common space that encourages community building (eg dining halls and dons). I do, however, think that the Columbia Lake Village is generally a soulless place with few opportunities for community building or for connections to the wider neighbourhood.
I actually find it more pleasant to walk somewhere when there aren't giant front lawns.